Our use of video communications to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, learn new things, celebrate milestones, and even welcome new family members has accelerated and deepened in recent years.
We’ve invested heavily in both Google Duo and Google Meet to support the millions of users who rely on our technology for video calls and meetings.
New features added in duo
We’ve added new features for those who use Duo as their cross-platform video calling app, including group calls for up to 32 people, doodles, masks, and fun effects in family mode, and video calling on tablets, foldables, smart devices, and TVs. In addition, since making Google Meet available to everyone in 2020, we’ve added over 100 new features and improvements.
This includes a more intuitive interface, virtual backgrounds and effects, live captions, and features like auto-light adjustments and noise cancellation that help people feel seen and heard. To help keep meetings safe and productive, we’ve improved quality and reliability while also introducing new moderation controls.
Outside of work, we continue to see millions of people around the world use video conferencing to host game nights, parent-teacher conferences, and community group gatherings.
We’re upgrading the Duo experience to include all Google Meet features as part of our ongoing commitment to helping people stay connected and adapting to changing user needs. Users will have a single solution for video calling and meetings with people from all walks of life thanks to this integrated experience.
A single, integrated solution
We’ll be adding all of the Google Meet features to the Duo app in the coming weeks, so users can easily schedule a video meeting at a time that’s convenient for everyone, or simply use video calling to connect with someone or a group. We’ll rename the Duo app to Google Meet later this year, our single video communications service across Google that’s free for everyone.
Duo’s existing video calling features, such as the ability to call friends and family by phone number or email address, use fun filters and effects, send messages, and ask Google Assistant to call using existing devices, are all still available. There will be no need to download a new app because all conversation history, contacts, and messages will be saved in the existing one.
Features for video conferencing and meetings have been improved
This upgrade will provide Duo users with enhanced features, previously only available on Meet, to help them make the most of their time together, including the ability to:
Create your own virtual backgrounds for phone calls and meetings.
Meetings should be scheduled so that everyone can attend at a time that is convenient for them.
For a deeper level of engagement, use in-meeting chat.
To allow interaction with all call participants, live share content.
To improve accessibility and participation, get real-time closed captions.
Increase the number of participants on video calls from the current limit of 32 to 100.
